Forest Hill
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Forest Hill, VIC 3131.
About Forest Hill
Welcome to Forest Hill
Forest Hill sits in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, roughly 20 kilometres from the CBD, tucked between Burwood East, Vermont, Blackburn South, Nunawading and Blackburn North. It's a quiet, established residential pocket best known locally for the Forest Hill Chase shopping centre, which has long served as the area's social and retail hub.
With a population of around 10,780 and a median age of 42, Forest Hill has the feel of a settled, family-oriented suburb. It suits buyers and tenants who want leafy, mid-density living with easy access to shops, schools and parks, without the price tag or intensity of suburbs closer to the city.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Forest Hill tends to revolve around Forest Hill Chase, which offers a solid spread of supermarkets, specialty stores and casual eateries that cover most day-to-day needs without requiring a drive across town. Cafes and takeaway options cluster around the centre and along the suburb's main roads, catering to a steady mix of families, retirees and commuters rather than a buzzing dining scene.
For a broader night-out or brunch selection, residents often head to nearby Burwood East or across to Blackburn and Nunawading, both a short drive or train ride away, where strips of independent cafes and restaurants have developed around the older shopping precincts.
Shopping
Forest Hill Chase is the clear retail anchor, functioning as a full-service shopping centre with major supermarkets and a wide range of specialty retailers. It's the kind of centre that reduces the need for residents to travel far for groceries, homewares or everyday essentials.
Beyond the Chase, neighbouring Nunawading and Blackburn South add further shopping options, from bulky-goods outlets to smaller strip shopping, giving Forest Hill households a reasonable spread of choice within a few minutes' drive.
Getting around
Forest Hill doesn't have its own train station, but it's well placed between the Belgrave/Lilydale lines to the north and the Alamein/Belgrave corridor via neighbouring suburbs, with Nunawading and Blackburn stations both accessible by car or bus and offering direct services into the city. Bus routes run through the suburb connecting residents to these stations and to surrounding shopping strips.
Road access is a strong point for the area, with Canterbury Road and nearby arterial links making it straightforward to reach the Eastern Freeway and, from there, the CBD or outer eastern growth corridors. For most residents, a car remains the easiest way to get around, though the bus network provides a workable alternative for commuters heading to the train.
Schools & families
Parkmore Primary School serves the local area and is a key drawcard for families choosing Forest Hill, offering a nearby option for primary-aged children without the need for a long school run. Combined with nearby secondary options in Burwood East, Vermont and Blackburn South, the suburb offers a reasonably complete schooling pathway within a short radius.
The suburb's median age of 42 and its mix of established homes point to a community with a strong proportion of long-term families and older residents, which typically translates into stable school communities and a settled, low-turnover feel to the neighbourhood.
The property market
Forest Hill's property market centres on detached houses, which make up 58% of current listings, followed by apartments and units at 23% and townhouses at 18% — a mix that gives buyers a genuine choice between low-maintenance living and traditional family homes on larger blocks. The median house price sits at $1.14 million, having grown 4.5% recently, while units and apartments offer a considerably more accessible entry point with a median of $675,000.
For renters, the median weekly rent across the suburb is $650, reflecting solid demand from tenants drawn to the area's schools, shopping and transport links. Compared with pricier inner-east suburbs, Forest Hill offers relative value, particularly for buyers willing to consider a townhouse or unit rather than a standalone house.
Parks & recreation
The surrounding streets are dotted with local parks and reserves typical of Melbourne's eastern suburbs, offering space for walking, informal sport and family outings. Its proximity to Blackburn South and Vermont also puts residents within easy reach of some of the region's larger bushland reserves and walking trails, a drawcard for those who value green space without sacrificing suburban convenience.
Sporting clubs and community facilities in and around Forest Hill and neighbouring Burwood East give families and older residents alike a range of recreational options close to home, reinforcing the suburb's appeal as a practical, community-minded place to settle.
Market snapshot
Forest Hill property market
Median sale price
$1.14m
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$650
per week
Gross rental yield
3.0%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$836k
Median
$1.14m
Premium
$1.38m
Days on market
38
Auction clearance
65%
Sold this year
73
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +1.2% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Forest Hill by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Forest Hill, VIC 3131.
Population
10,780
residents (2021)
Median age
42
years
Household income
$1,658
median, per week
Median rent
$396
per week
Median mortgage
$2,123
per month
Mortgage / income
30%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Forest Hill
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Forest Hill
$960k
1/1 Davy Lane
Sold ~July 2026
$1.02m
1 Yardley Court
Sold ~July 2026
$1.14m
359 Canterbury Road
Sold ~July 2026
$1.21m
32 Thornhill Drive
Sold ~July 2026
$1.36m
18 Will Street
Sold ~July 2026
$850k
7/10 Stringybark Close
Sold ~July 2026
$1.38m
18A Everglade Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$1.66m
10 Matheson Road
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Forest Hill
Compare the area
Price map around Forest Hill
Every listing for sale near Forest Hill, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Common questions
Forest Hill suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Forest Hill?
The median house price in Forest Hill, VIC is $1.14m for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 4.5%.
How much is rent in Forest Hill?
The median weekly rent in Forest Hill is around $650 per week.
Is Forest Hill a good place to live?
Forest Hill is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 18 km east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Whitehorse local government area. Forest Hill is an established residential suburb in VIC, with a population of around 10,780 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Forest Hill?
Forest Hill has a population of 10,780 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 42.
What schools are in Forest Hill?
There is 1 school in or near Forest Hill, including Parkmore Primary School.
How long do homes take to sell in Forest Hill?
Properties in Forest Hill take around 38 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 65%.
How much do you need to buy in Forest Hill?
Entry-level properties in Forest Hill start around $836k, while premium homes reach $1.38m.
What suburbs are near Forest Hill?
Suburbs near Forest Hill include Burwood East, Vermont, Blackburn South, Nunawading and Blackburn North.
Fresh to market
New this week in Forest Hill
CAREFREE CONVENIENCE WITH GOURMET KITCHEN
Timeless character with modern updates opposite parkland
Available now